Pensacola FL Sailing Blog - sailingnightwatch

 Some time back I mentioned that the cabin soles were plywood and were originally carpeted in long brown shag.  Somewhere along the way the shag carpet was removed.  When we found the boat, the sole was covered with an off white textured contact paper.  It was light, which added to the brightness of the interior, and easy to maintain.  It was never meant to go through a restoration.   The utility knife slashed it a few times while cutting patters or insulation.  Varnish was dripped. 

 My wife informed that for her Christmas present, we could have the boat carpeted.  I had grown rather fond of the contact paper.  I had learned to over look the slashes and appreciate that it was impervious to sand, saltwater, food and drink.  After finishing the major work, the year had become a steady progression of friends and relatives.  The covering had held up well.

 The second part of the wish was that this project should be completed before our children came for the holidays.  It was already December and there was no way my wife could make a decision about carpeting before Christmas.  I should also mention the fact that it is very difficult to find a carpet layer that will work on a boat.  I figured this project was a “sometime next year” deal…. I figure.

 “No problem,” says the wife, “you can do it.”  She has already decided on the carpet.  It is at Lowel’s. you can pick it up and they have the expertise there to answer any questions you may have about installation.  At this point in my life I had done many different things related to home construction.  But, I had not laid the first inch of carpet and really was not interested in learning a new trade.        

“How hard can it be,” says the wife.  “You do excellent patter work.  You can make a pattern, we will lay the carpet out in the parking lot and you can put your pattern on the carpet, cut it out and lay it in the boat.  I’ll let them know you will pickup the carpet and pad first thing Saturday morning and we will have new carpeting by cocktail time.  And you have the evenings till then to make your patterns.”